[Age 5] Exciting and fun! A special feature on ideas for at-home play
By the age of five, more children can enjoy games with rules and have fun competing in games with friends and adults.
In this article, we’ll introduce at-home activities that are perfect for five-year-olds.
We’ve gathered a variety of ideas—from games with easy-to-understand rules, to activities that get kids moving indoors, to crafts that are fun to make—so feel free to use them as a reference and give them a try.
Not only for times when you can’t play outside, but also for those moments when you just feel like staying in, we hope you’ll enjoy these with your family and siblings.
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- [Kindergarten] Let’s Play with Quizzes! A Collection of Recommended Quizzes for Older Kindergarteners
- Indoor activities that 2-year-olds can enjoy. Recommended at-home games that will keep them engaged.
[Age 5] Exciting and Fun! A Collection of At-Home Play Ideas (51–60)
Rock-paper-scissors is fun even in the rain
Here are some rock-paper-scissors games you can enjoy indoors with kids, even on rainy days.
“American Rock-Paper-Scissors” flips the usual win/lose rules and makes you think.
“Body Rock-Paper-Scissors” is played by expressing rock, paper, and scissors with your whole body; it’s best to agree on what gestures mean rock, paper, and scissors before you start.
In “Newspaper Rock-Paper-Scissors,” you stand on a sheet of newspaper while you play; each time you lose, you fold your newspaper once to make it smaller.
“Rock-Paper-Scissors Train” is a game where the loser lines up behind the winner, and the train of players grows longer and longer.
Find your favorite rock-paper-scissors game and give it a try!
Bubble play in the bath
A bubble bath that fills the tub with fluffy foam.
It’s a fun at-home activity that turns an everyday bath into a special event.
Add bubble-bath solution to the tub with warm water, and once it starts to foam nicely, hop in.
To keep bubbles out of your eyes, wearing goggles is also recommended.
You’ll get to experience a different kind of bath and enjoy various games using the foam.
Try adding some bubbly fun to bath time with family and friends!
Rock-Paper-Scissors game
This is a game where you play rock-paper-scissors while doing various actions.
Handling two or more tasks at the same time supports the development of five-year-olds who are starting to learn complex movements.
First is “Pull-out Rock-Paper-Scissors”: the winner pulls on a scarf or cloth, while the loser resists so they don’t get pulled out.
Second is “Balloon Rock-Paper-Scissors,” where you play while keeping a balloon from falling—stay mindful of both the game and the balloon.
Third is “Full-Body Rock-Paper-Scissors,” where you use your whole body to pose rock, paper, or scissors.
It’s a fun at-home activity that also gives kids some exercise while they play.
Perler beads
Iron beads are fused using the heat of an iron after arranging the beads on a dedicated pegboard.
As children make a variety of items—animals, food, and more—this activity lets their creativity shine.
Using their hands or tweezers, they place the beads onto the board one by one.
They can create simple shapes like stars and hearts, or take on more advanced designs like anime characters.
These beads have a cute, pixel-art look and can be used as room decorations or toys.
Try this activity to help nurture a 5-year-old’s thinking skills and concentration.
Block Slider
Block Slider is a toy that lets kids enjoy both building blocks and watching marbles roll.
As they create a three-dimensional structure, they can train their concentration and imagination.
They assemble the base block by block, set up the sliders on top, and roll the marbles.
By taking on the challenge of making something, children can feel a sense of accomplishment when the marbles run.
It’s an ideal activity for five-year-olds who are starting to read instructions and follow rules.
Try it as a great at-home play idea that a child can focus on independently.